PLANES CRASH AT WOOD LAKE.

Wood Lake, Neb. (AP) -- Two single-engine army planes crashed on the Everett Morris ranch 15 miles south of Wood Lake Saturday, ranch employes said, and it was believed that pilots of both planes were killed.
The planes were from the Ainsworth, Neb., air base and were on a combat training flight, officials at the base disclosed. No other details were immediately available.
Ranch hands said the planes crashed in the air, one burst into flames immediately and the other exploded after smashing into the ground. They fell about three-quarters of a mile apart.
Wood Lake is in Cherry County in northwest Nebraska.

Nebraska State Journal Lincoln 1944-02-06

The names of the pilots were:
Second Lt. EARNEST W. FANSLAU, pilot, Brooklyn, N.Y.
First Lt. JOHN B. BEATTY, pilot, Sandusky, Ohio.

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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!